Evanich, Horn lead Marlington to 38-20 win over Howland

A big helping of Cam Evanich alongside the explosive running of Blaize Horn allowed the Dukes to break open a tie game and defeat host Howland 38-20 in a nonconference matchup Sept. 5.

Evanich caught two touchdown passes and ran for three more scores in Marlington’s victory. His 69-yard catch from quarterback Tyler Walder in the fourth quarter gave the Dukes a 26-20 lead, and they never looked back in improving to 2-1.

Evanich scored in each of the first three periods as his 54-yard touchdown reception and 5- and 1-yard runs helped Marlington to a 20-13 third-quarter advantage.

Howland tied the game at 20 on a quarterback keeper, but Evanich’s long touchdown catch to open the fourth put the Dukes ahead for good. He later added a 36-yard scoring run, and Horn’s 75-yard burst sealed the win.

Evanich finished with nearly 200 yards, catching eight passes for 146 yards and rushing for 50 more on six carries. Horn ran for 163 yards on just eight carries. Walder completed 17 of 25 passes for 210 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

Cross country 

Marlington competed in the Walsh Jesuit Pat Ritchie Invitational, where the Lady Dukes claimed the small school team title with 54 points, one ahead of runner-up McDonald.

Junior Irelyn Johnson placed third in 18:51.63, while sophomore Jordynn Martz finished 11th, junior Brin Boyce 16th and sophomore Kari Smith 17th. Brynne Reese capped the scoring in 24th.

The boys finished third with 83 points. Sophomore Gabe Minor led the Dukes with a fifth-place time of 17:22.35, while freshman Brady Griggs was eighth. Sophomore Casey Minor finished 21st, and freshman Andrew Bargerstock and junior Nolan Henry placed 26th and 27th.

Volleyball 

After consecutive early-season losses, Marlington has won five straight to take sole possession of first place in the Eastern Buckeye Conference.

The streak began Sept. 2 with a sweep at Minerva, 25-9, 25-17, 25-12. Giana Bogunovich tallied 17 kills, Cali Young had 28 assists, Danica Sarchione recorded three blocks, 10 digs and six aces, and Justine Doringo scored 19 service points.

On Sept. 4 at Salem, the Dukes swept again, 25-9, 25-15, 25-19. Bogunovich led with 13 kills, Sarchione added 11 kills and nine digs, and Young posted four aces and 23 assists.

Marlington capped the week with a 3-1 nonconference win at Louisville (25-22, 25-18, 18-25, 25-20). Bogunovich had 17 kills, three blocks and five aces, Sarchione added 13 kills and 11 digs, Young notched 29 assists and 14 service points, and Amiiah Sickles led with 13 digs. The Dukes improved to 6-2 overall.

Girls soccer 

In their only match of the week, the Dukes played visiting Eastern Buckeye Conference rival Carrollton to a 0-0 draw. Goalkeeper Makenna Metz led Marlington (0-2-2, 0-0-1) with 11 saves.